Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Th Maha Rat; 7am-5pm; Tha Chang)
This arcane and fascinating market claims both the
footpaths along Th Maha Rat and Th Phra Chan, as well as a dense network of covered
market stalls near Tha Phra Chan. The trade is based around small talismans prized by
collectors, monks, taxi drivers and people in dangerous professions.
Potential buyers, often already sporting many amulets, can be seen bargaining and flip-
ping through magazines dedicated to the amulets, some of which command astronomical
prices. While money changes hands between vendor and customer, both use the euphem-
ism of 'renting' to get around the perceived crassness of selling religious objects. It's a
great place to just wander and watch men (rarely women) looking through magnifying
glasses at the tiny amulets, seeking hidden meaning and, if they're lucky, hidden value.
Also along this strip are handsome shophouses overflowing with family-run herbal-
medicine shops.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
HOW TO BLEND IN WITH THE BANGKOKIANS
»
Eat your way through Bangkok
Thais love to eat. We eat all day
-
there is no such thing as mealtime.
Throughout the day fill your stomach with fruit or deep-fried wonders such as quail eggs, fish balls and dim sum.
If you're too scared of the skewered meats in the streets, try a mall food court. Also, don't forget to Instagram
every dish.
»
Everyone is your family
In the old days, villagers considered each other a part of their family, a tradition that
extends to the Bangkok of today. Your food vendor, your 7-Eleven clerk or your taxi driver can become your fam-
ily in an instant. You don't need to know their names, simply guesstimate their age and refer to them as
pe
̂
e
(older
brother/sister),
no
́
rng
(younger brother/sister),
lung
(uncle) or
Ъăh
(auntie).
»
Approach the BTS like a war zone
Battle your way onto the BTS (Skytrain) and push your way out as no one
will move for you. Fight for your spot as no one will share the hand straps with you. And run for your life, other-
wise the turnstile gates will crush you.
»
Relax, you're in Bangkok
Bangkok may look like a busy city, but it only appears that way. You'll find food
vendors, shopkeepers, cafe waitresses and taxis drivers napping on the job (yes, even taxi drivers who are driv-
ing). Incorporate this routine into your sightseeing: find yourself a nice secluded spot at Wat Pra Kaew and pre-
tend to be 'meditating', or book a massage at Wat Pho.
By Kitty Chirapongse
Museum of Siam
(
www.museumsiam.com
; Th Maha Rat; admission 300B; 10am-6pm Tue-Sun; Tha Tien)
This fun mu-
seum employs a variety of media to explore the origins of the Thai people and their cul-
ture. Housed in a European-style 19th-century building that was once the Ministry of
MUSEUM
